Subcontractor fined for unlicensed workers at new Southbridge solar array

Saturday

Jan 26, 2013 at 6:00 AMJan 26, 2013 at 9:25 AM

By Brian Lee TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

The Board of State Examiners of Electricians recently found that Patriot Solar Group LLC of Michigan, a subcontractor for the nearly finished large solar farm at 236 Blackmer Road, was not licensed for the work.

The company recently paid a $1,000 fine as part of a consent agreement.

As part of the agreement, the company admitted that during about September through November, its employees, who were not licensed by the board, installed racks as part of the photovoltaic power system.

The action was in response to a complaint against the company and two others involved in the project by the National Electrical Contractors Association of Greater Boston, which represents more than 80 electrical and telecom contractors in Eastern Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire.

Matthew Lash, assistant executive manager of NECA, said the action was bittersweet.

“We're obviously very grateful that DPL took the action that it did,” Mr. Lash said Friday. “But the bottom line is, a $1,000 fine is pitifully low.

“If you look at what I'm guessing these contractors who cut corners made in profit by using low-wage, unlicensed labor, it doesn't take a businessman or mathematician to calculate those numbers. They're saving money by doing it this way, or else they wouldn't be doing it.”

Amie Breton, spokeswoman for the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, said the $1,000 fine was the maximum allowable fine for a first-time offender.

NECA also filed complaints to the state against temp agency Absolute Staffing of Worcester, and permit-holder Commonwealth Electrical Technologies of Worcester.

NECA said Absolute Staffing employees, who are not licensed electricians, erected electrical components such as racks, rails and conduit of the solar photovoltaic facility with assistance from unlicensed Patriot Solar counterparts.

State law and electrical code require licensed electricians and licensed electrical contractors to install solar PV power systems, among other electrical apparatus.

“I have every expectation we would see more fines against the other players,” Mr. Lash said.

Adam Parr, an account manager with Patriot Solar, said the situation was “ridiculous,” and maintained his company didn't perform any of the electrical work.

Approximately 10 Patriot workers were on the job to supply the system of post-driven and ballasted ground mount, according to Mr. Parr.

Patriot didn't do any of the electrical connections, wiring, trenching or conduit, he said.

“We're not electricians,” he said. “We don't claim to be and we're not trying to take work away from anybody.”

Mr. Parr said the permit holder didn't know how to pound the post, assemble the wire racking or put panels on.

“How is that safe, when our guys, who are more familiar with our system, know how to put it together and have done it before?”

Southbridge Building Inspector Nicola Tortis said two sets of permits were issued. Commonwealth Electrical was issued a permit for electrician-only duties. Another permit was for non-electrical work such as concrete structures, trench-digging, knocking down trees, pulling stumps and setting up trailers.

“It's got nothing to do with us,” Mr. Tortis said of the $1,000 fine. “The fact still remains, I did not issue permits to Patriot. I issued permits to licensed electricians in Massachusetts.”

Mr. Tortis went on to say it was not his role to “baby sit” work after a permit has been issued.

The project is nearly complete, he said.

Mike Daugherty of Martifer Solar USA, the listed contact for the Southbridge Solar Project, could not be reached Friday. There were no workers on site Friday afternoon.